The Political Communication Interest Group invites submission of competitive papers, thematic panel proposals, and innovative programming alternatives (roundtables, symposia, debates, open forums, etc.) for the 105th ECA Annual Meeting to be held in Providence, Rhode Island.

The convention theme, “Communities of Dissent: A ‘Lively Experiment’ in Dialogue, Diversity, and Discourse” recognizes the history of dissent and disagreement in Provincetown. This theme has particular resonance for political communication in terms of democracy and political dynamics, but we also invite interpretations relating to multiple contexts in the discipline.

We seek creative panels and submissions that have timely relevance and elicit proactive conversations. ECA convention programming will again include short courses, poster sessions, roundtables, and workshops. Additionally, the convention will host the Third Annual McCroskey and Richmond Undergraduate Scholars Conference. General information on it (as well as on short courses and poster sessions) may be found at http://www.ecasite.org.

The Political Communication Interest Group will also sponsor the annual viewing of the year’s most popular political advertisements at “Wine and Spots”. We encourage you to schedule this event into your conference plans.

Submissions to the Political Communication Interest Group should adhere to the following guidelines (please read carefully – those panels and papers that do not comply will be returned to the submitter. No submissions or revisions will be accepted past the Oct. 15 deadline).

COMPETITIVE PAPERS

Authors are invited to submit competitive papers on any aspect of political communication from any theoretical, methodological, or critical perspective. Papers should not have been presented at a previous conference or accepted for publication at the time of submission. Any relevant history of presentation should be clearly noted on the title page.

Excluding title page, notes, and references, papers should be no longer than 25 pages in 11 or 12 point. Papers longer than 25 pages may not be reviewed.

Authors who have not presented a paper at a regional, national, or international convention should include the word “DEBUT” in the upper right-hand corner of the title page. Papers authored by current undergraduate or graduate students should include the word “STUDENT” in the upper right-hand corner of the title page. (All of the paper’s authors must meet the “debut” or “student” criterion for the paper to be so designated.)

Competitive papers should be submitted via e-mail as TWOMS Word files. Submissions are not considered complete without both files. Please put in the subject line; “ECA” and short descriptive words from the title. Indicate the title page file with a T. Example for File #1: ECA Debate Nonverbals T File #2: ECA Debate Nonverbals

File #1 must include:

A title page with the title of the paper and the following information (in this order):

names of all authors (in cases of multiple authorship, please indicate who will be presenting at the convention

institutional affiliations of all authors

mailing addresses of all authors

telephone numbers of all authors

email addresses of all authors

notation of ECA membership (a waiver of fees might be available for non-academic political communication practitioners – the primary author should contact the unit’s planner)

(Please note that no information that identifies the author/s should appear anywhere in this submission beyond the title page.)

An abstract page including a 100-150 word abstract of the paper. The title of the paper should appear on the same page as this abstract.

A statement of professional responsibility, as follows: “In submitting the attached paper, I/We recognize that this submission is considered a professional responsibility. I/We agree to present this paper if it is accepted. I/We further recognize that all who attend and present at ECA’s annual meeting must register and pay required fees.” Papers that do not include this statement will not be programmed.

A presentation history of the project, if relevant.

File #2 must include:

A title page with no author/s names (the second paper which will be sent out for review should include no information that identifies the author/s anywhere in this submission).

An abstract page (see above)

The full paper and reference pages, appendixes, etc.

PANELS AND OTHER PROGRAMS

Panels should focus on a unifying theme relevant to research, theory, or criticism in the area of political communication. Panels that reflect the conference theme are encouraged. Panels must consist of a chair and presenters; a respondent is optional, but encouraged. Roundtable discussions, symposia, debates, community programs, or other alternative formats are welcome especially as they relate to the convention theme or location. Panels and other programs that could be co-sponsored with other interest groups are strongly encouraged – please send your panel to both interest groups at the same time, noting the joint submission, so that those planners may manage the submission together.

Panel and other program proposals should include the following:

A thematic title for the convention program

A description of the program appropriate for the convention program of no more than 75 words

A detailed rationale for including the panel/program prepared for the 2014 Political Communication convention program

Participant information

name and affiliation of chair

name and affiliation of respondent (if included)

name and affiliation of each presenter/participant and an abstract per participant (of no more than 100 words per person) that explains and ties his or her participation to the panel and theme

A single statement of professional responsibility (see above) that represents all presenters

A contact page that includes information for all participants, including ECA membership status. (A waiver of fees might be available for non-academic political communication practitioners. Proposers should contact the unit’s planner.)

Requests for Technology must be made at the time of submission and we will attempt to make arrangements as resources allow. Any requests made after that time cannot be honored. Please refer to ECA Technology Policy.

Conference Absenteeism: Attendees who do not present scheduled papers should not list presentations on academic vitas. Notices of inability to attend the conference after receiving presentation acceptance or last minute emergency issues preventing attendance should as soon as possible along with alternative presenting arrangements.

Electronic Filing Formats: Proposals must be submitted only in MS WORD. Only electronic submissions will be reviewed. Submissions should be e-mailed to Janis L. Edwards, University of Alabama, the Political Communication Interest Group program planner, at janisedwards@att.net.

Submissions must be received no later than Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Questions can be addressed to the program planner, Janis L. Edwards at janis.edwards@ua.edu or 205-348-8074 or 205-507-7638. Please note that submissions go to a separate email address.